Differences between Shinjitai and Simplified characters
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Han characters, called Kanji in Japan and Hanzi in China and Chinese-speaking areas, underwent simplification in both Japan and the PRC. Before this, all countries used Traditional Chinese Characters. However, many of these characters underwent simplification differently.
Beginnings of Simplification (Republic of China 1912-1949)
The idea of simplication of Han characters began during the Republic of China era between 1912 and 1949. Template:Hanzi
Shinjitai Character Simplification
Shinjitai characters (Japanese: 新字体) are the set of simplified Kanji used in Japan.
Simplified Character Simplification
Simplified characters (Chinese: 简体字) are the set of simplified Hanzi characters used in the PRC and Singapore.
Sino-Japanese Relations after World War 2
After World War 2 and the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese and PRC relations were near-nonexistent. Hence, when the PRC published the First Round of Simplified Chinese Characters, many were different to those of the earlier Japanese-development Shinjitai.
Hanja
Hanja, the Chinese characters used in the Korean language, did not undertake any simplification and remained using Traditional Chinese characters.
Examples of Differences in Shinjitai and Simplified Characters
| Shinjitai | Simplified | Traditional | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No simplification | 田 | 田 | 田 |
| Same simplification in both languages | 国 | 国 | 國 |
| Simplification in Japan only | 仏 | 佛 | 佛 |
| Simplification in PRC only | 無 | 无 | 無 |
| Different simplifications in both languages | 才 | 岁 | 歲 |